Indonesia eyes partnership in Kaan fighter jet project with Turkey

Prabowo Subianto signals interest in joint development of fifth-generation Turkish aircraft.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attend a signing ceremony between the two countries in Ankara, Türkiye, on April 10, 2025. Photo by Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In a move signaling Indonesia’s growing ambition in advanced defense technology, Indonesia eyes partnership in Kaan fighter jet project with Turkey, according to an announcement made by President Prabowo Subianto during a state visit to Ankara. The statement was delivered during a joint press briefing alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace on Thursday.

President Prabowo made it clear that Indonesia is keen on joining forces with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to co-develop the Kaan, Turkey’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet, which has already completed its initial flight testing phase. The partnership, should it materialize, marks a strategic shift in Indonesia’s defense and aerospace ambitions—positioning the nation to be part of an elite group capable of producing next-gen military aircraft.

The Kaan fighter jet, known in development circles as the TAI TF (Turkish Fighter), has been in the works since 2010. Turkey sees the aircraft as a cornerstone of its future air combat strategy. With the first flight of the Kaan completed in early 2024 and a second test flight following shortly after, the platform is now advancing toward full production, with Turkish Air Force deployment expected around 2028 or 2029.

Indonesia’s participation in this project is significant on multiple levels. It not only represents a leap forward in technological collaboration but also reflects the growing geopolitical alignment between the two emerging powers. President Prabowo emphasized this point during his remarks, expressing strong interest in expanding bilateral ties beyond conventional trade and diplomacy into joint industrial and defense production.

“Indonesia wants to participate in the development of the Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet and submarine development with the Turkish industry,” Prabowo said, referring also to a potential underwater systems project, although no details were offered regarding the latter. 

In addition to the Kaan fighter jet, Prabowo and Erdogan revealed that Indonesia and Turkey have reached an agreement to establish a joint-venture defense company. While specifics about the company were not released, the tone of the announcement suggested a long-term commitment to defense co-production, technology sharing, and possibly even joint exports to third-party nations.

The Turkish defense industry has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by a combination of strategic necessity, reduced dependence on NATO-sourced equipment, and major investments in R&D. Turkey’s success with armed drones, such as the Bayraktar TB2, has garnered global attention. The Kaan project represents a continuation of this trajectory.

Indonesia, for its part, has been seeking ways to modernize its aging military equipment and reduce dependency on Western suppliers. With past attempts to co-develop fighter jets—such as the troubled KF-21 Boramae project with South Korea—facing funding and coordination issues, Jakarta appears ready to explore alternative partners who share similar strategic ambitions.

The collaboration between Indonesia and Turkey could also open doors to broader market access for defense exports. During the same press conference, both leaders acknowledged the need to expand bilateral trade and industrial cooperation across sectors. Erdogan stressed that Turkey sees Indonesia not just as a regional partner, but as a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia.

President Prabowo echoed those sentiments, affirming that the partnership goes beyond arms and aircraft.

“We agreed to expand market access and promote bilateral investment. Turkey is an important ally and friend,” he stated.

The timing of the proposed defense collaboration is no coincidence. Both countries are navigating increasingly complex regional dynamics, with Indonesia keeping a close eye on rising tensions in the South China Sea and Turkey playing a pivotal role in conflicts near its own borders. A robust and independent defense capability is seen as vital by both leaderships.

Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries with support from the Turkish Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), the Kaan is intended to be a stealth-capable multirole fighter, equipped with cutting-edge avionics, supercruise capabilities, and the ability to operate in contested airspace. It is Turkey’s most ambitious defense project to date and aims to eventually replace the aging F-16s in the Turkish Air Force.

The jet’s design reportedly incorporates stealth coatings, internal weapons bays, and an advanced sensor fusion system—putting it in the same conversation as the U.S. F-35 or the Chinese J-20. Turkey was previously a part of the F-35 program but was removed due to its purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems. In that vacuum, Ankara doubled down on its domestic capabilities, resulting in the birth of Kaan.

By expressing interest in the Kaan, Indonesia is positioning itself not only as a buyer but as a collaborative developer. This opens opportunities for technology transfer, local production, and possibly adapting the aircraft to regional needs. With Southeast Asia's security landscape becoming more unpredictable, having such an advanced system in Indonesia’s arsenal would be a game-changer.

However, joint development of a fifth-generation fighter is a complex undertaking. From budgetary constraints to technical coordination, many hurdles remain. It’s not yet clear what level of involvement Indonesia seeks—whether as a financial backer, a parts manufacturer, or a full partner in R&D.

Indonesia’s previous experience with the South Korean KF-21 jet shows the risks of such international projects. That program was plagued by delayed payments and disagreements over technology sharing. Learning from that, Prabowo’s approach to the Turkish collaboration appears more cautious yet ambitious.

The lack of details in Thursday’s announcement reflects that negotiations are still in the early phases. But the symbolism and political will behind the declaration are undeniable.

If the Indonesia–Turkey defense partnership progresses as outlined, it will mark a shift in global defense alliances. Both nations stand to benefit economically and militarily from this alignment. And for Indonesia, taking part in the Kaan jet project could finally provide the strategic leverage and industrial experience necessary to rise as a modern aerospace player.

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